Paul A Schwartz

8 May 1966
at
02:45

Geography

Venezuela

Locality

Upata; Sta. Maria

Latitude/Longitude

8.0166667
-62.4

Elevation

250
meters

Channels

Mono

Sampling Rate

Bit Depth

Recorders

NAGRA III

Microphones

Electro-Voice 650

Accessories

Equipment Note

NOTES: Neotropical Institute Cut # 17. Bulk reel: 41.
Weather: Cloudy, fair, moon. In the same spot of Cut 15), where I heard several owls earlier in the night, I played back the field tape. One owl flew in (visibly) and shortly started singing with +/- normal song; another gave a bother call from nearby. I didn't record successfully the latter. The other owl is still singing in the first part of this cut.
I then played back this newly recorded song which is obviously at low level. After about 45" the owl started with the "short hoot" song, which in a period of ~ 1 1/2' changes to the normal song and in ~ 4' was completely normal in form and volume. (I have edited out 3' of this normal song: from 4' to 7'.) Then at ~ 7 3/4' from start of this owl's song, the other owl gave a "bother scream," at least part of which was obviously in flight. Whether it flew to another perch or left the area, I don't know. After another song, the singing owl also gave a song "half-converted" into a "bother call," changed perches, and continued to sing a bit and became silent. This is recorded and here filed.
I then played back the "bother scream" part just recorded. This time after ~ 1 1/2' an owl started the "short hoot" song, sang so for ~ 1', then fell silent. This was recorded but has not been added.
Quality: 2. Level: 0. No parabola.
Part b): 3:25 AM. I then played back again. Bird at once started "short-hoot" song, continued it for ~ 1', fell silent for ~ 30", then started singing +/- normal song at low volume, altering ~ complete normalcy in ~ 2'. About 2 3/4' later it fell silent for ~ 20", then resumed singing. After ~ 1 1/2" another bird, no doubt its mate, flew in. The singing bird gave a mild "bother call" inflection to a song that was no doubt a sign of recognition. Then they flew away. (Voice comment.) This was recorded but only the last part is saved and here filed.
I then tried more playback. A bird flew in visibly but remained silent for almost 4', then started the "short-hoot" song, changing to normal song in ~ 30", then fallilng silent 20" later. ~ 1' after that started singing normal song, sang for ~ 2' and fell silent. (Recorded but not saved.)